COURTESY PHOTO
RBC | The Anna Banana Wildcat Invitational hosted 172 varsity runners in Fruita, Colorado, last Saturday. The Meeker Cowboys took 11 varsity members, missing some to injury and illness that has hit the school hard. “We were dealing with some injuries and illnesses this week and we did not post our best times of the season, but still saw some good effort,” commented head coach Marty Casey.
Fruita was very windy, but it helped to keep the temperatures in check. Shane Kobald came in top placer at the 63 spots for the boys with a time of 21 minutes and 24.6 seconds and Brighton Bair, who came in 55th in 24:29.9, was top placer for the girls. Also scoring for the boys was Gabe Richardson with a time of 21:30.8 and Owen Hanneman who finished in 22:36.6, and on the girls’ side Gwyn Hooks and Kate Lockwood scored with times just over 27 minutes. The race consisted of a few teams that are new for the Cowboys, but that only helps to see the level of competition necessary with regionals fast approaching.
Meeker, who is class 2A in cross country, is part of region 4, and their regional meet will take place in Delta. Currently, Bair is ranked 12 in the region and the highest-ranked Meeker Cowboy, Kobald 22, and Gabe Richardson 23, all times originating at the Eagle Valley Invitational.
“We will take everyone to Craig next week,” said Casey, “and that includes the middle school runners who will also be competing.” The Craig meet is this Saturday, with races to begin at 10 a.m. Craig is the last of three meets before regionals.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK | Special to the Herald Times
